RIKEN IMS Internship Program 2026 | Eligibility and How to Apply

The RIKEN Center for Integrative Medical Sciences (IMS) Internship Program is one of the most exciting research opportunities available to young scientists globally. Hosted at one of Japan’s most prestigious research institutions, this program gives students and early-career researchers the chance to work alongside world-class scientists in fields ranging from immunology and genomics to bioinformatics and molecular sciences. Whether you are working toward your Master’s degree or recently completed your PhD, this is a rare chance to embed yourself in a cutting-edge research environment in Yokohama, Japan.

This internship is designed for ambitious, research-driven individuals who want more than textbook knowledge. It targets students currently enrolled in Master’s or PhD programs, medical students, and postdoctoral fellows who are within three years of completing their doctorate. The program runs between one and three months, offering a short but deeply immersive research experience that can meaningfully shape your scientific career.

In this post, you will find everything you need to know about the RIKEN IMS Internship Program for FY2026. We cover the eligibility requirements, benefits, application steps, required documents, key dates, tips for a strong application, and answers to the most common questions applicants ask.

Internship Overview

Eligibility

There are two application categories, each with its own requirements. Read carefully to confirm which applies to you.

Category 1 (Students):

• You must be currently enrolled in a Master’s or PhD program at a recognized academic institution.
• Medical students at a level equivalent to a Master’s student in Japan are also eligible.
• You must remain enrolled throughout the entire internship period.

Category 2 (Postdoctoral Fellows):

• You must have obtained your PhD within the last three years.
• You must be affiliated with an academic institution during the internship period.

General Requirements for All Applicants:

• All applications must be submitted in English. Applications written in Japanese will not be accepted.
• Your proposed research topic must align with the work of a participating RIKEN IMS laboratory.
• You must demonstrate that attending this internship would meaningfully contribute to your career development.
• You must not be able to access RIKEN IMS research opportunities without this program.
• This program does not qualify for a long-stay visa (over 90 days). Internship duration is between 1 and 3 months.

Eligible Countries

RIKEN IMS describes this as an international internship program open to applicants from academic institutions worldwide. No specific list of eligible countries has been provided in the official materials.

Based on the inclusion of a GDPR Consent Form requirement for EU and UK residents, it is clear that applicants from Europe are welcome alongside those from all other regions.

Below is a general guide based on the global scope of the program:

• Africa: Open to applicants from all African countries with recognized academic institutions.
• Asia: Open across Asia. Japan-based students should confirm eligibility directly with RIKEN IMS as the program targets international experience.
• Americas: Open to applicants from North America, South America, and the Caribbean.
• Europe: Open to all European countries. EU and UK residents must also submit a GDPR Consent Form.
• Middle East: Open to applicants from Middle Eastern countries enrolled in recognized academic institutions.
• Oceania and Pacific: Open to applicants from Australia, New Zealand, and Pacific Island nations.

Eligible Fields of Study

This internship is focused on the research areas covered by RIKEN IMS laboratories. Your proposed research topic must be appropriate for the host laboratory you select. The eligible research areas include:

• Genome-wide medical science
• Immunology
• Physiology
• Bioinformatics
• Molecular sciences
• Biochemical sciences
• Quantitative sciences
• Integrative medical sciences
• Skin homeostasis (example laboratory area)
• Other interdisciplinary fields connected to human health and medical research

Applicants from pure clinical medicine backgrounds should ensure their proposed research aligns with one of the participating laboratory’s focus areas. Review the Lab List for FY2026 on the RIKEN IMS website before applying.

Benefits

The benefits differ depending on your application category.

Category 1 (Students):

• Lodging: Accommodation costs are covered at up to 11,600 yen per day for stays of 1 to 30 days, up to 10,440 yen per day for days 31 to 60, and up to 9,280 yen per day from day 61 onward.
• Travel Expenses: International travel costs are covered by RIKEN IMS.
• Daily Allowance: An internship allowance of 3,000 yen per working day is provided.

Category 2 (Postdoctoral Fellows):

• Lodging: Covered at the same tiered rates as Category 1.
• Travel Expenses: Covered by RIKEN IMS.
• No daily allowance is provided for Category 2 participants.

Important: No salary is paid to participants in either category. This is a research grant program, not employment. The internship allowance for Category 1 is separate and provided to support your daily living during the program.

Required Documents

Prepare all documents in English before you apply. Japanese-language documents will not be accepted.

1. Curriculum vitae (CV)
2. Purpose statement (A4 size, maximum 1 page) including the specific research topics you plan to pursue at RIKEN IMS
3. Research background document (A4 size, maximum 1 page)
4. Completed Agreement Form (Agreement_IMS-Internship_2026.docx, available from RIKEN IMS)
5. GDPR Consent Form (required for EU and UK residents only)
6. Recommendation letter (sent directly by your academic supervisor to the host team leader via email)

Note on the Recommendation Letter: Your supervisor must send this independently. The email must go to ims_intern_apply@ml.riken.jp with the subject line: “Recommendation_[Your Name](Your Institution)”. Example: Recommendation_John TANAKA(RIKEN IMS).

How to Apply

Follow each step carefully. Incomplete or incorrect applications may be rejected without explanation.

Step 1: Visit the official RIKEN IMS website and review the list of laboratories participating in the FY2026 Internship Program. The list is available as a downloadable PDF titled “Lab_list_for_IMSintern2026.pdf”.

Step 2: Research each participating laboratory thoroughly. Read about their current projects, recent publications, and research focus to identify which lab aligns best with your background and interests.

Step 3: Select the laboratory where you want to conduct your internship. Make sure you can propose a specific, relevant research topic that suits that lab’s work.

Step 4: Draft your Purpose Statement. This is a single A4 page explaining why you want to intern at RIKEN IMS, what research you plan to pursue, and how it connects to your career goals.

Step 5: Prepare your Research Background document. This is also one A4 page and should summarize your academic and research experience relevant to the proposed internship.

Step 6: Update your CV to reflect your most current academic status, publications (if any), research experience, and institutional affiliation.

Step 7: Download and complete the Agreement Form (Agreement_IMS-Internship_2026.docx) from the RIKEN IMS website. If you are a resident of an EU or UK country, also complete the GDPR Consent Form.

Step 8: Inform your academic supervisor that you are applying and request that they send a recommendation letter directly to ims_intern_apply@ml.riken.jp. The subject line must follow the format: “Recommendation_[Your Name](Your Institution)”.

Step 9: Compose your application email. Use the subject line format: “[Your Name](Your Affiliation) / [Host Lab Name]”. Example: John TANAKA(RIKEN IMS) / Lab for Skin Homeostasis.

Step 10: Attach all required documents to your email and send it to ims_intern_apply@ml.riken.jp. This address is only for applications, not for inquiries.

Step 11: Submit your application at least four months before your desired internship start date. Applications received later than this will not be considered within the relevant selection cycle.

Step 12: Wait for a response. RIKEN IMS only notifies applicants who are accepted. If you do not receive a response, your application was not successful. No reasons will be given for rejection.

Key Dates and Timeline

Applications must be submitted at least four months before your desired start date.

Application Deadline

This program operates on a rolling application basis. There is no single annual deadline.

You must submit your application no later than four months before your desired start date.

The earliest possible application submission for FY2026 is January 2026, leading to an April 2026 internship start. The latest submission window closes in September 2026, for a January 2027 start.

Applications submitted after the four-month window will NOT be accepted for that start period.

Plan ahead. Four months goes quickly, especially when coordinating a recommendation letter from your supervisor.

Selection Criteria

RIKEN IMS evaluates applications based on the following criteria:

1. Genuine research motivation: Applicants must demonstrate a clear desire to grow as a researcher by placing themselves in a new international research environment. The committee looks for people who are stepping outside their comfort zone with intention.
2. Career development alignment: Your application should make a clear case for how this internship will advance your career trajectory. Vague or generic statements will not be competitive.
3. Fit with the host laboratory: Your proposed research topic must be appropriate and relevant to the laboratory you have selected. A mismatch here is a common reason for rejection.
4. Financial need for the program: One of the four selection criteria explicitly states that applicants should be unable to access RIKEN IMS research opportunities without this grant. Demonstrating that this program is a genuine enabler for you strengthens your case.
5. Academic standing and enrollment: You must be currently enrolled and in good academic standing at a recognized institution.

Important Tips

1. Contact the lab before applying. While not required, reaching out to the Principal Investigator (PI) of your target laboratory to introduce yourself and confirm your research idea is appropriate can significantly improve your chances. It also helps avoid a mismatch in your application.
2. Submit well ahead of the four-month minimum. Aim to apply five to six months before your desired start date. This gives your supervisor time to send the recommendation letter without rushing.
3. Make your Purpose Statement specific. Generic statements about wanting to “experience Japanese research culture” will not stand out. Be specific about what you will study, why RIKEN IMS specifically, and what outcome you expect.
4. Match your research topic to the lab’s current work. Review the lab’s latest publications and align your proposed topic accordingly. Proposing a topic that does not fit the lab’s active research is a quick path to rejection.
5. Coordinate your recommendation letter early. The letter must come directly from your supervisor, not from you. Give your supervisor at least three to four weeks of notice. They must email ims_intern_apply@ml.riken.jp with the correct subject line format.
6. Double-check your email subject line. RIKEN IMS is very specific about the format: “Your Name(Affiliation) / Host Lab Name”. An incorrect subject line risks your application being overlooked.
7. Understand the visa situation before applying. The program duration is between one and three months. RIKEN IMS notes that it does NOT qualify for a long-stay visa (over 90 days). Confirm visa requirements for your nationality with the Japanese embassy before committing to a timeline.
8. Read the cancellation policy carefully. If you are accepted and later need to withdraw, you will be held responsible for any travel or accommodation cancellation fees. There are no exceptions, including for personal emergencies. Only apply if you are certain you can commit.
9. Apply to only one lab per cycle. The application email format is structured around a single host lab. Focus your effort on one strong application rather than sending multiple unfocused ones.

Frequently Asked Questions

Official Link

Visit the official RIKEN IMS Internship Program page to access the laboratory list, download required forms, and find contact information for participating labs.

Official website: https://www.ims.riken.jp/english/careers/internship/

Application email: ims_intern_apply@ml.riken.jp (for applications only)

For program inquiries, contact the PI of the laboratory you are interested in directly through the RIKEN IMS website.

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